“So, we're trying to help change peoples idea of what a scientist looks like by reminding them that there are quite a few women scientists,” Ishaq says. “We're here, we're doing great work.”

Creating their own chapter of the international group, “500 Women Scientists” – calling their meetings, “science salons.”

“The salon was a term that sort of, kind of old at this point, but it was a place where a lot of women would go and share their stories and talk and share information, and so we sort of wanted to build on that,” she says.

Uniting up to 50 local women for hands-on science experiments at First National Taphouse in Eugene, every month.

“We had a little box with sleeves where you could actually put your hand in and pet the bees, and they're super cute; they like to lick the salt off your fingers,” she says.

Fellow women scientist, Theresa Chang, says Ishaq’s talks were her favorite. She says she learned the most from Ishaq – who brought in bacteria in petri dishes.

“We’re all sharing our shared knowledge and experiences,” Ishaq says.

Because the women are not only bringing in local speakers, but they’re actually scientists themselves.

First National Taphouse donates a keg for the meetings, and the proceeds are given to a charity of the group’s choice based on their science topic that night.

If you’re interested in joining “500 Women Scientists,” you can find them on Facebook.